FOOTNOTES:
[254] Written from the pronunciation of the old Kutanä̍ Indian, Hómach-Ksáchkum, the Great Earth, of whom a most excellent likeness is given on Plate 79 of my Atlas. I have spoken of this people in several places in the first volume of this work. Parker (ibid., p. 304) says of the Kutonä̍s, Kutnehä̍s, or Kutanihs: "The Cootanies inhabit a section of country to the north of the Ponderas along M'Gillivray's river, and they are represented as an uncommonly interesting people. They speak a language distinct from all the tribes about them, open and sonorous, and free from gutturals, which are common in the language of the surrounding tribes. They are neat in their persons and lodges, candid and honest, and kind to each other. I could not ascertain their numbers, but probably they are not over a thousand." In Ross Cox, (p. 242), there is also information regarding them; but the missionary Parker (ibid., p. 286) seems to call this traveller's truthfulness in question. From my carefully copied words of the Kutanä language, it is evident that it is not easy to pronounce on account of its lingual clicking; and that it has a large number of guttural tones.—Maximilian.
[255] The Kutanä̍s, or Kutunä̍s, also Kutnehä̍s, dwell in the Rocky mountains beyond the sources of Maria river; and on their mountains lives the white mountain goat. They are said to call themselves Kutonachä; the French know them as Coutonais; and the Blackfeet call them Kutanä̍. They are few in number, having only some forty lodges. Among their ornaments they highly prize cylinders cut from mussel-shells, especially those cut from the shell of the dentalium, which they obtain from the western seacoast. The Blackfeet, especially the Blood Indians, are their declared enemies. They do not live on the flesh of the buffalo, which is not found in their mountains; but in their country many beaver are obtained, excellent fish (trout), and several other species of animals, especially the orignal (cervus alces amer.), the white mountain goat, and the bighorn; also many kinds of roots and berries serve them as food. They raise large numbers of strong and handsome horses; they are well clothed; and are expert beaver hunters. They are skilful in making bows and arrows. Their language is difficult to learn. The words are spoken softly and indistinctly; in addition there are many clicking tones and hollow gutturals; and they also lisp.—Maximilian.
MANDAN, or Númangkake[256]
Abode (dwelling place), iwakschúntusch.
Above, a̍hkitta.
Abyss (precipice), pähúsch.
Ahead, untihä̍ddisch (un French, like oun).
Aim (v; take aim), mitáhrusch.